PRWeek has learned that national news organisations have complained to
Health Secretary Andy Burnham about the way the Care and Quality
Commission (CQC) released a report on Basildon University Hospital two
weeks ago.

The Daily Mail, Daily Express, Daily Mirror and Press Association are
all understood to have sent letters expressing concern about the CQC
media operation, after press officers tipped off only a handful of
broadsheet journalists.

The CQC report made headlines in November with its disclosures that
Basildon Hospital death rates were 30 per cent higher than the national
average. But some journalists claim they were initially prevented from
accessing the report.

One source said: 'Coming from a public body, we would have expected the
report to have been made available to all media simultaneously and
without preferential treatment.'

A CQC spokesman said: 'We always listen to the views of our press
colleagues and will do so on this occasion.'